Visitor Preferences for Visual Changes in Bark Beetle-Impacted Forest Recreation Settings in the United States and Germany

Arne Arnberger,Stuart Cottrell,Stephanie A. Snyder,Robert C. Venette,Alexander C. Schlueter,Ingrid E. Schneider,Eick von Ruschkowski,Martin Ebenberger,Paul H. Gobster

doi:10.1007/s00267-017-0975-4

Abstract

Extensive outbreaks of tree-killing insects are increasing across forests in Europe and North America due to climate change and other factors. Yet, little recent research examines visitor response to visual changes in conifer forest recreation settings resulting from forest insect infestations, how visitors weigh trade-offs between physical and social forest environment factors, or how visitor preferences might differ by nationality. This study explored forest visitor preferences with a discrete choice experiment that photographically simulated conifer forest stands with varying levels of bark beetle outbreaks, forest and visitor management practices, and visitor use levels and compositions. On-site surveys were conducted with visitors to State Forest State Park in Colorado (n = 200), Lake Bemidji State Park in Minnesota (n = 228), and Harz National Park in Germany (n = 208). Results revealed that the condition of the immediate forest surrounding was the most important variable influencing visitors’ landscape preferences. Visitors preferred healthy mature forest stands and disliked forests with substantial dead wood. The number of visitors was the most important social factor influencing visitor landscape preferences. Differences in the influence of physical and social factors on visual preferences existed between study sites. Findings suggest that both visual forest conditions and visitor use management are important concerns in addressing landscape preferences for beetle-impacted forest recreation areas.

Highlights

Extensive outbreaks of tree-killing conifer forest insects such as the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) in North America and the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in Europe are increasing due to climate change and other factors (Morris et al 2015; Müller et al 2008; Raffa et al 2008)
About 95% of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), which accounts for 60% of all tree cover at the park, were killed by the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) (COSP 2016a)
Hiking/walking was the main purpose of Harz National Park (HNP) respondents, while camping was the main one for the other samples

Summary

Introduction

Extensive outbreaks of tree-killing conifer forest insects such as the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) in North America and the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in Europe are increasing due to climate change and other factors (Morris et al 2015; Müller et al 2008; Raffa et al 2008). Extensive bark beetle outbreaks can result in timber value losses and impact nontimber values of forest owners and visitors. With respect to Environmental Management (2018) 61:209–223 the latter, forest-based outdoor recreation and tourism are significant industries in North America and Europe (World Travel & Tourism Council 2016) that have the potential to be threatened by bark beetle outbreaks, resulting in loss of revenue to providers and local communities (Aukema et al 2011; Flint et al 2009; Rosenberger et al 2012). Damage from insect outbreaks can have a variety of noneconomic impacts on the well-being of individuals, communities and, society (Flint et al 2009; Rosenberger et al 2012)

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion